Abstract
In this paper, we analyse the joint and individual time that Italian couples allocate to the different arts activities and arts practices. The Time Use Survey of Italian households (ISTAT 2002–2003) is used for the first time for this purpose. Despite an unbalanced gender division of paid and unpaid work in this country, women are shown to have a greater predisposition towards engaging in the arts. Altogether, Italian couples spend half of their arts time together. After we apply a Heckman’s selection model, results show the overall positive effects of age, education, individual and couple’s well-being and weekend participation, and the negative effects of children and residence in southern regions. Yet we demonstrate that the likelihood to participate in the arts and the amount of time allocated to them are determined by different factors. In particular, we highlight some differences and complementarities in partners’ personal and mutual influence and respective roles within the couple and the household.
Highlights
Arts participation is a complex activity determined by a combination of factors, including economic ones, personal cultural capital and social capital
Time use data made available in the Time Use Survey of Italian households (ISTAT 2002–2003) were used for the first time for this purpose
Italian couples dedicate a small fraction of their day to arts participation, generally preferring arts attendance to arts practices
Summary
Arts participation is a complex activity determined by a combination of factors, including economic ones, personal cultural capital and social capital. The country under consideration—Italy—is distinguished by an extremely rich cultural supply and by striking gender inequalities in terms of paid and unpaid work distribution between spouses. This has repercussions on both the free and discretionary time, in which arts participation could take place. We contextualise our study in the literature on couples’ leisure and arts participation, including contributions based on diary data.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
